Chapter 296: The Family is Too Powerful

 Chapter 296: The Family is Too Powerful

Inside the carriage, Daohua didn't talk or laugh as usual. She was listlessly leaning on Li Zixin's shoulder.

"What's wrong with you, girl?"

Fan Shi looked at Daohua in surprise. Her niece was usually cheerful and lively, always smiling no matter where she went. It was rare for her to be so quiet and gloomy like today.

Daohua straightened up and muttered, "I ran too fast while flying the kite. Now I'm a bit tired and hungry."

Jiang Shi immediately spoke up, "It's my fault. I didn't expect we'd be stuck on the road for so long. If I had known we'd miss lunch, I would have brought some snacks."

Daohua quickly replied, "Aunt, I'm not that hungry."

Li Zixuan looked up at Daohua, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Cousin, did brother Fang upset you?"

Daohua looked at Li Zixuan. "Why do you ask, cousin Zixuan?"

Li Zixuan explained, "Just now, while we were flying kites, brother Fang mentioned that it seems you don't like him."

Fan Shi and Jiang Shi were both surprised. They were about to ask, but Daohua coldly sneered.

"Did he say why?"

Li Zixuan nodded, "He said that when Sun Jiayue was bothering him, you saw it."

Daohua snorted and immediately told Fan Shi and Jiang Shi about how Sun Jiayue had fed Fang Liangji sweets and the way she had humiliated him in the pavilion.

"Aunt, second aunt, what do you think, should Fang Liangji be scolded?"

Jiang Shi immediately pulled Daohua into her arms and said kindly, "Good Daohua, thank you for standing up for your cousin Zixuan."

Her daughter had been betrothed to Fang Liangji. For her daughter's future well-being, even though they knew about this incident, they couldn't be too harsh—unless they wanted to break off the engagement.

But who would break off an engagement so soon?

Besides, the Fang family was generally decent. If they broke the engagement now, regardless of the reason, their reputation would be ruined, and finding a better match afterward wouldn't be easy.

However, just letting Fang Liangji off made her angry.

Luckily, Daohua was there.

Daohua’s status was special. First, she was still young; second, she was the Prefect Magistrate's daughter. Even if her words were sharp and merciless, the Fang family wouldn't dare complain, especially since this incident was clearly Fang Liangji's fault.

Fan Shi also said sternly, "Daohua, what you said was excellent. Fang Liangji deserves to be scolded. He's already betrothed and still doesn't know how to behave."

Daohua nodded in agreement. "Exactly." She then looked at Li Zixuan, "Cousin Zixuan, don't show too much kindness to someone like Fang Liangji, or he'll get carried away and forget who he is."

Li Zixuan smiled and took Daohua's hand. "I understand, don’t worry. I know how to handle this."

Daohua nodded and leaned back against Li Zixin's shoulder again.

As she saw her aunt and mother whispering to each other, Li Zixuan sat beside Daohua and quietly asked, "Is it because of this that you’re upset with the Young Prince?"

Daohua shook her head. "No."

Li Zixuan wanted to say more but saw that Daohua didn't want to talk, so she stayed silent.

In the afternoon of the same day, after Fan and the others returned home, not long after they had lunch, the door guard came to inform them that Lord Fang had come with Fang Liangji to apologize.

Fan Shi and Jiang Shi exchanged quick glances and both looked at Daohua.

"That was fast."

If the Li family hadn't seen this, the Fang family might not have been so eager, but with Daohua, the Prefect Magistrate's daughter, involved, especially with the Young Prince and other young masters involved, the Fang family had to be cautious.

At the Li family's main courtyard, Li Xingchang and Li Xingnian were entertaining the Fang father and son, as well as Fang Hao.

Li Chenyi and his brothers, as well as Yan Wenxiu and his brothers, were accompanying them.

Though Yan Wenxiu had previously stopped his sister from making a scene, now, with Lord Fang bringing Fang Liangji to apologize, he had also appropriately shown the Yan family's stance.

"Mother likes cousin Zixuan the most. She says she’s graceful and elegant, just like she was when she was younger. When cousin Zixuan stayed at our house, she even asked Teacher Shen to teach her etiquette. Teacher Shen also praised her highly."

Lord Fang listened attentively, always smiling and nodding.

"My wife is also very pleased with her. If Liangji can marry her, it’s truly his fortune."

Yan Wenkai spoke in a less delicate manner than his brother. He walked over to Fang Liangji and slapped him on the shoulder, almost knocking him off balance.

"Future brother-in-law, I like to spar with others. I always think that there's no problem that can’t be solved with a good punch. If anything happens between you and cousin Zixuan, just come find me," he said, shaking his powerful fist in front of Fang Liangji.

Fang Liangji endured the pain in his shoulder and gave a forced smile, nodding.

"Oh, by the way, I almost forgot. My big sister loves to play with whips. One strike from her..." Yan Wenkai shuddered to himself.

Upon hearing this, Fang Liangji’s face grew even more bitter.

At that moment, there was a loud crack sound. Everyone turned to look and saw Yan Wentao break off a corner of the table. Yet, he still grinned and said, "Sorry, I was just thinking about my big sister being angry, and I accidentally used too much strength."

Fang Liangji immediately gaped in disbelief.

Was Young Master Yan warning him? Was he saying that if he angered Miss Yan, he would be broken just like that table corner?

Li Xingnian and Li Xingchang watched with interest and did nothing to stop it, letting their nephews put Fang Liangji in an uncomfortable position.

Fang Hao, on the side, found the whole situation amusing. The Yan siblings were very protective!

After exchanging pleasantries and receiving several rounds of subtle threats, Fang Liangji finally left the Li family residence with a numb expression, under the lead of Lord Fang.

His future wife's family was too powerful. Even though the marriage hadn't happened yet, he already felt the mountain-like pressure.

Compared to his son’s dejection, Lord Fang was quite pleased.

The more the Yan family valued his future daughter-in-law, the better it would be for the Fang family.

Lord Fang was about to lecture his son when he saw Fang Hao still looking back at the Li family.

"Fifth brother, is there something else?"

Fang Hao smiled and shook his head. "I just felt like I got along so well with Young Master Yan. I didn’t want to leave."

Thinking about Yan Wenxiu's appearance and character, Lord Fang nodded. "Young Master Yan is a good man, especially in his studies. It’s a pity..."

The children of officials would never look at the daughters of merchant families. Otherwise, he would have considered giving his daughter, Yi Yun, to him.

Fang Hao sighed. "I heard they’re leaving for Ningmen Prefecture tomorrow?"

Lord Fang nodded. "It seems so."

Fang Hao stayed silent for a moment before glancing back at the Li family residence once more. "What a pity!" He had hoped to see that young lady from the Yan family today.

(End of Chapter)